The story of the Basotho blankets is deeply woven into the history of Lesotho. It is said that King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation, was gifted a wool blanket in 1860 that he began to wear in place of the traditional leopard-skin kaross. Over time, blankets became an integral part of Basotho life, not just as protection against the elements, but as an expression of identity. Initially manufactured in England, they are now produced in South Africa by Aranda Textiles, a family-owned, transparently-run business established in 1953 by Italian immigrants. Each design is approved by the royal family of Lesotho, crafted responsibly, and helps bring clean water to rural communities in the region.